In this episode of Imposter Hour, hosts Liz Keenan and Greg Wands welcome Alison Buccola to talk about her gripping new novel The Ascent. Together, they unpack themes of imposter syndrome, motherhood, and the psychological tension of characters caught between truth and memory.

Alison opens up about her writing journey, the research behind the cult at the center of her novel, and how personal experience and societal pressures shape the way she writes women. They also dig into the mental load of being creative while parenting, and how gender bias and self-doubt can sabotage the writing process before you even open the document.

She shares what it’s like to promote a book while quietly panicking, how community sustains her through it all, and what’s next — including her upcoming novel about three sisters and the complexities of memory, identity, and perception.

In this episode of Imposter Hour, Liz and Greg sit down with Raúl Palma, Cuban-American author of the haunting and brilliant debut novel A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens. Together, they explore how Palma’s background in writing and academia intersects with imposter syndrome and how debt — both financial and emotional — becomes a kind of haunting in his work.

Raúl talks about his protagonist, a spiritual healer who doesn’t believe in ghosts, and how that contradiction mirrors the emotional weight many of us carry. From the mechanics of capitalism to the invisible toll of poverty, this conversation dives deep into the intersections of identity, creativity, and survival.

They also dig into how writing can be a form of self-care, especially when confronting the emotional landscape shaped by capitalism. Raúl shares how cultural identity informs his fiction, the role of support systems in sustaining a writing life, and what it means to feel “unauthorized” to tell your own story — and to write anyway.

In this episode of Imposter Hour, hosts Liz Keenan and Greg Wands sit down with author and former academic Lauren Nossett, whose novels The Professor and The Resemblance explore mental health, power dynamics, and identity within the framework of compelling thrillers.

Lauren discusses her transition from academia to fiction, the prevalence of imposter syndrome among both creatives and academics, and how writing became a space to process and interrogate societal expectations. They talk about the responsibility of writers to reflect real-world issues, the emotional weight characters can carry, and the ways thrillers can hold literary depth while remaining accessible.

The episode also touches on Lauren’s writing process, the joy of embedding literary references in her work, and her excitement for her next novel. Whether you’re a reader, writer, or both, this is a conversation about voice, community, and the art of telling meaningful stories within genre constraints.

In this episode of Imposter Hour, hosts Liz Keenan and Greg Wands welcome self-published thriller author Dan Lawton to discuss his latest novel, The Two of Us, and the emotional realities of long-haul creativity.

Dan shares what it’s like to write through imposter syndrome, how his personal experiences influence his characters, and why writing from multiple perspectives continues to challenge and excite him. As a self-published author of eleven novels, Dan reflects on the freedom, discipline, and perseverance it takes to build a career outside the traditional system.

They also explore the difficulty of finding fresh ideas in a saturated genre, the role of empathy in storytelling, and how emotional state can shape narrative. Dan offers advice to aspiring authors, emphasizes the importance of reader feedback, and talks about the balance between writing for yourself and writing for your audience.

A generous and insightful episode about resilience, authenticity, and staying in love with the work.

In this episode of Imposter Hour, hosts Liz and Greg sit down with Nishita Parekh, a former software programmer turned debut novelist, to talk about her atmospheric locked-room mystery, The Night of the Storm.

Nishita shares her journey from coding to storytelling, opening up about the inspiration behind her novel, the layered family dynamics at its core, and how her Indian heritage informs both character and theme. The conversation explores the cultural complexities of immigration, marriage, and gender disparity in Indian society, as well as the emotional terrain of motherhood and societal expectation.

She also gets candid about navigating imposter syndrome as a new author, the vulnerability of Goodreads, and the often conflicting demands of introversion and promotion. Together, they dive into lessons from tech and fiction alike—pacing, process, and the chaos of creation—and the importance of community, cultural insight, and honoring single mothers in her work.

A rich and resonant conversation for anyone chasing creativity in a noisy world.

In this episode of Impostor Hour, Liz and Greg welcome Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, author of The French Honeymoon, for a dynamic conversation that spans creative reinvention, cultural identity, and the emotional rollercoaster of writing.

Anne-Sophie dives into the themes behind her latest novel—including immigration, forbidden love, and the tension between fantasy and reality in Paris—while also unpacking her transition from young adult fiction to psychological thrillers.

They discuss everything from female rage to character development, the impact of motherhood on the writing process, and the stubborn satisfaction of finishing a project despite doubt and delay.

Honest, thoughtful, and unexpectedly funny, this episode is a deep dive into what it takes to keep creating—especially when imposter syndrome shows up at the door.

In this episode of Imposter Hour, hosts Liz Keenan and Greg Wands sit down with television producer and author Sandra Chwialkowska to discuss her debut novel, The Ends of Things. Sandra shares her journey from screenwriting to novel writing, offering insights into character development, narrative structure, and the thematic depth of her work—particularly around female agency and societal expectations.

The conversation explores the psychological layers of her novel, set against the backdrop of the Bahamas, and the challenges of navigating reader expectations in the literary world. Sandra also reflects on self-perception, agency, and the impact of motherhood on identity, while unpacking the imposter syndrome that often plagues writers. She discusses the influence of social media on self-image and contrasts the creative processes of screenwriting and novel writing.

The episode culminates in a discussion on finding the right medium for storytelling and a look at Sandra’s upcoming projects.

In this episode, Liz and Greg sit down with Bethany Ricks, author of Face Forward: How to Lead Yourself While Leading Others, a powerful and motivational book about resilience, self-leadership, and embracing authenticity.

Bethany shares her journey through imposter syndrome, personal transformation, and the power of faith, offering raw insights into overcoming setbacks and reclaiming her voice. She reflects on the role of mentorship, the impact of health scares, and how moments of silence can spark profound personal growth. The conversation explores the intersection of ego and creativity, the importance of setting boundaries, and how self-accountability shapes leadership.

Bethany also opens up about her publishing experience, the importance of community in writing, and the small but intentional steps that lead to empowerment. As she looks ahead to future projects, she remains committed to authentic expression and inspiring others to step into their full potential.

A must-listen for anyone seeking motivation, clarity, and the courage to move forward.